Category Archives: Pastor’s Desk

Mic Check

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills

Dear Friends,
I don’t know whether you have followed the Occupy Wall Street movement or the other similar protests that have sprung up around the country, but I have found the various techniques of the groups quite fascinating. For instance, do you know what “Mic check!” means? While listening to a report on National Public Radio, I learned how this shout-out from the anticipated speaker quieted the masses. What this did was to call the people to order and to listen. Continue reading →

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The Rewards of Ministry I: Rutgers Students

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

This week, Barry Smith from Youth Empowerment Services and I met as panelists with about 20
students of Rutgers Student Volunteer Council, located at the nice Student Activity Center overlooking the
Raritan River on George Street. If you consider how much help our church has received in recent years from
Rutgers students, it was about time that we met in the peace of a conference room in order to reflect on the
nature of the work, how it can be enhanced, and how the ties to community organizations like our church
can be intensified. Continue reading →

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The Rewards of Ministry II: Lunchtime Recitals

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

I had a similar experience earlier this week, albeit from a very different corner. Our Lunchtime Recital with Mrs. Ena Bronstein Barton was a most rewarding event. Seventy-six people attended, among them classes from the Livingston School, as well as from Pine Grove Nursery. In fact, the serving line for lunch afterwards was made up in equal parts by Pine Grove teachers and church volunteers. (See the accompanying pictures.) Continue reading →

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To Understand Rather Than to Be Understood

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Brother Roger, the beloved founder of the Taizé Community in France, once observed, “Throughout my life, I had the desire not to prejudge anybody. In relating to everyone, it was essential for me to rather understand than to be understood. In order to understand, faces are even more important than words.”

From here, Brother Roger went on to describe his appreciation of the human face. We, here at First Reformed Church, have been blessed with manifold opportunities for following Brother Roger’s intent. For years, we have participated in the tradition of Taizé. We have also come to realize that peace on earth is only possible if people begin to understand each other and develop empathy and appreciation for each other’s situation. Continue reading →

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A Great Church Retreat to Astoria / Queens

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Many of our churches ask themselves serious questions these days. One of them is a question about our heritage. Given the current membership decline in many of our congregations, should we concern ourselves with leaving behind a well-preserved footprint in history, or can we still expect our tradition to have an impact on society today? It’s a clear fork in the road. One side leads into a museum, the other into the world. Which do we choose? Continue reading →

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The Church is a Real Community Center

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills

Dear Friends,
Recently I had a phone conversation with one of our ‘building users’, the Martial Arts instructor who was thrilled that so many groups are using our
facilities. “You know, the church is a real community center.” “Wonderful!” I thought. We’ve finally made it. Yes, one could really define us as such. Why just this week I was talking with Yue Yue Ensemble about an extra practice date; emailing with Nicole from Raíces Cultural Center who is heading up an ecological event at our church about water and pollution; as well as setting up a Day of the Dead Exhibition; furthermore I have been in talks with United Way about a huge informational fair that they will be hosting here, too. Phew! This place rarely is empty. Did you know that Young Life, a small Christian group working with disadvantaged youth is also hosting a group here on Monday nights now? Yes, we have become a type of community gathering space. Continue reading →

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Sleeping Beauty’s Church Entrance

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Most recently, the number of critical voices regarding the overgrown front of our church has increased. Some took issue with the two dogwood trees covering the two outdoor signs on either side of the church entrance. Others mentioned the unsightliness of the untrimmed yew bushes. Somebody else bemoaned the desolate condition of the hand rails leading up to the three church doors. And I myself miss some special feature like a lively banner or something similar to highlight the main entrance door and to add life to the otherwise immortal architecture and the evergreens surrounding it.

I was surprised, however, to find out that these issues seem to be indigenous to other Reformed Churches as well. The dining hall of our retreat center in Warwick, NY features plates from most Reformed churches with ties to the Center. During our recent retreat, I took the attached pictures. They are from one of the four walls only. Had I had more time, I could have taken many more pictures like these. Can you see how the trees and bushes obstruct the architectural features in each case? Clearly, bushes and trees are important in our overly developed world. As Christians concerned about God’s creation, we will always want to err on the green side. But does this mean that, even on display plates like these, the branches of a tree are more important than the unique features of a particular steeple? Continue reading →

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